EVENTS - Kooringal Experience with Riviera

A fleet of 21 Rivieras recently took part in the inaugural Kooringal Experience, a 70nm round journey from the Gold Coast north to Moreton Island via Canaipa Passage, conducted by R Marine Queensland.

Randall Jones and the team from R Marine Queensland led 57 Riviera owners and their families to Kooringal (meaning "by the water"), a small township located at the southern tip of Moreton Island.

"I visited Kooringal by 4WD over the Christmas break and thought it would be a great anchorage and place to explore for our next R Marine Queensland experience," said Jones.

"After visiting Kooringal by water several weeks before the event in our planning trip, we knew it would be a good challenge for our owners as well.

"The fleet successfully navigated the challenging and rarely attempted entrance into the Kooringal Anchorage by assisted direction and radio communication by our team.

"After anchoring, the Riviera family enjoyed a relaxing Friday afternoon and evening mingling and getting to know one another while enjoying the picturesque views of Moreton Island’s white sandy beaches and crystal blue water," he said.

On Saturday morning, the group set off in their tenders for a day exploring Days Gutter, a shallow waterway with an abundance of marine life including stingrays, shovelnose sharks, soft coral and fish.

"As we entered the tranquil Days Gutter anchorage there were fish jumping our wakes before we ventured up to the locally renowned Gutter Bar in the township of Kooringal, where we enjoyed a few quiet drinks," Jones said.

"At the Gutter Bar we shared stories and laughs, and of course tales of the razor shells in the bay best known now as Ankle Droppers. The R Marine Queensland team advised our fleet to watch out for the sharp rocks between the anchorage and Gutter Bar, which were prevalent during low tide," he said.

For Peter and Diane McGregor onboard Playstation, a Riviera 37 Flybridge, this was their first R Marine Queensland experience.

"We had a great time meeting other Riviera owners and really enjoyed the tender exploration to Days Gutter and get together in the Gutter Bar," Diane said.

"Thanks must go to Randall and his support team for a great weekend at Kooringal, we certainly look forward to having the opportunity of another Riviera trip later this year," she said.

Greg and Denise Hansford owners of Riviera M370 said the Kooringal Experience was one of the best and most enjoyable Riviera cruises they had ever embarked on.

"We thought the guidance R Marine Queensland provided over the radio was fantastic and the dinner and drinks at the Gutter Bar was a real treat and a great opportunity to meet and make new friends with other Riviera owners, they’re such a great group of people and we have so much in common," Denise said.

Despite the average weather conditions, R Marine Queensland said everyone had a great time and made the most of the trip.

On Sunday afternoon it was time to head back to the Gold Coast, but as the sun set and the weekend came to an end, the memories lingered, the friendships lasted, and the Kooringal Experience is now part of R Marine Queensland’s extensive annual calendar of owner events.

Photos: The Riviera fleet anchored at Kooringal; The Riviera fleet cruises to Kooringal, Moreton Island; The Riviera Family enjoyed the camaraderie during the Kooringal Experience; The Tender Exploration to Days Gutter, a shallow waterway with an abundance of fish, stingrays, soft coral and shovelnose sharks; There was an abundance of marine life and coral; Riviera owners enjoyed exploring Moreton Island in their tenders